Nadal out of US Open

The tennis world number two Rafael Nadal won't be defending his title at the US Open in New York starting next week, having failed to recover from a wrist injury.

The Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The 28-year-old Spaniard suffered the injury in practice last month and he's been training with a cast on his right wrist, forcing him to miss the Rogers Cup in Toronto and last week's Cincinnati Open.

Despite missing the entire North American hardcourt campaign, Nadal had hoped to compete at the year's final major at Flushing Meadows.

His last tournament was Wimbledon where he was beaten in the fourth round by the young Australian Nick Kyrgios on the 2nd of July, and he has no set time frame for a return to the tour.

The 14-times grand slam winner also triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2010.

It is another worrying setback for Nadal who has had to battle back from lengthy injury layoffs several times in his brilliant career.

After being sidelined for seven months with a knee problem, he returned in February 2013 to win 10 titles including grand slams in Paris and New York.

Injuries also caused Nadal to miss the defence of his Wimbledon title in 2009 and his Olympic crown in 2012.

The winner of 64 career singles titles, he has claimed four trophies this year and has set no time frame for a return to competition.